Skeletal remains identified as Sumter man missing from hospital since September
The skeletal remains found off a dirt road behind Crystal Lakes Golf Course on March 11 have been identified as Michael Joseph Thomson, 55, who was reported missing after he walked out of Palmetto Health Tuomey in September.
Sumter County Coroner's Office - with the assistance of Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Sumter Police Department and Dr. Thad Vincent of Palmetto Family Dentistry - positively identified Thomson about three weeks after the remains were found off Gaines Road by children playing in the area.
Investigators also matched DNA samples from immediate next of kin to DNA obtained during the autopsy, according to a release from the coroner's office.
Based on the autopsy, the official cause of death is undetermined.
Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said the autopsy did not indicate exactly how long Thomson had been dead before his remains were found.
He said Thomson must have died a few months ago because of the state of the remains as a result of the weather and wildlife.
However, there were no signs of foul play, Baker said.
According to a release about Thomson's disappearance, he may have had mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and PTSD, had a spinal cord injury that prevented him from standing for long periods of time and suffered from fainting spells.
"While we certainly wish we could have located Mr. Thomson while he was still alive, we are glad the family is finally able to get closure," Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said.
The sheriff's office partnered with other agencies in the search for Thomson since September.
"My personal condolences," Dennis said, "as well as those of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office go out to his family."